The first priority in the management of comminuted mandibular fractures is the prevention of acute upper airway obstruction. Each division of mandibular fractures may cause respiratory obstruction. Among the variety of such fractures, split fracture of the symphyseal lingual cortical plate has a significant influence on the oropharyngeal and laryngopharyngeal airway spaces, and causes a markedly restricted ventilatory function. As the bony fragment is pedicled to the geniohyoid and genioglossus muscles, this type of fracture restricts hyoid movements, which may result in disturbance of deglutition.

We present two cases of split fracture and displacement of the mandibular lingual cortical plate of the mandibular symphysis, which were successfully treated with open reduction. We believe that precise reduction and fixation of the fragment of the symphyseal lingual cortical plate are indispensable for both relieving the airway obstruction and preventing disturbance of deglutition.

The primary considerations in the treatment of comminuted mandibular fractures are open reduction and internal fixation to restore a satisfactory occlusion and shorten the period of oro-functional rehabilitation [1]. However, patterns of mandibular fracture vary; some dislocations involving fragmentation require special attention for the prevention of both acute upper airway obstruction and postoperative swallowing dysfunction [2]. We present two cases of split fracture and displacement of the mandibular lingual cortical plate of the mandibular symphysis, which caused obstruction of the upper airway and required open reduction.

Case Reports

Case 1

A 27 year old male was referred to our emergency unit complaining of marked neck swelling and airway obstruction resulting from a car accident. As the patient had extensive oral bleeding, he immediately underwent intra-tracheal intubation. An emergent cerebral angiogram revealed extravasation of the mental artery; thus, transcatheter arterial embolization was performed. Computed tomography (CT) showed both maxillary and mandibular open fractures (Figure 1a).

Six days later, open reduction was performed. AT first, osteosynthesis of the maxillary fracture and intermaxillary fixation using arch-bars were performed (Figure 1d). The comminuted mandibular fractures were exposed by both intra-oral buccal sulcus and mental skin incisions, and mandibular bone reduction and fixation with mini-plates (Figure 1e).

Post-operative CT showed that the fragment of the lingual cortical plate was attached to the menton and formed favorable bone alignment. (Figure 1i and Figure 1j) Intermaxillary fixation was removed 2 weeks after surgery, and plates were removed after 6 months.

A 72-year-old male sustained a detrition injury to the maxilla and mandible due to being struck by the moving hook of a crane. He underwent immediate intra-tracheal intubation to relieve the airway obstruction. CT showed that the patient had a fracture of the mandible, and a fragment of lingual cortical plate (24 × 20 mm) was displaced 20 mm posteriorly (Figure 2a, Figure 2b and Figure 2c).

The patient underwent an immediate open reduction. The comminuted mandibular fractures were exposed by both intra-oral buccal sulcus incisions, and skin wound on the mental protuberance. Following intermaxillary fixation using arch-bars, osteosynthesis of the mandibular fracture and reduction of the fragment of the lingual cortical plate and fixation with long lag screw and wires (Figure 2d).

Post-operative CT showed that the fragment of the lingual cortical plate was attached to the menton (Figure 2e). Intermaxillary fixation was removed 2 weeks after surgery. The postoperative diet and swallowing functions were satisfactory.

Mandibular fractures are common facial injuries [3-7]. They almost occur along with symphyseal, parasymphyseal, body, angle, vertical ramus, coronoid process, and condylar fractures [7]. In the oral cavity, displaced fragments, a sublingual hematoma, and swelling may press and obstruct the upper respiratory tract, and so, patients often require immediate intra-tracheal intubation to relieve the airway obstruction [2]. Among these mandibular fractures, bilateral mandibular fracture is known as a "flail mandible", which results in obstruction of the airway [8]. Bilateral parasymphyseal fracture has a significant influence on the oropharyngeal and laryngopharyngeal airway spaces, and causes a severely restricted the ventilator function [9]. The same phenomenon can occur with a split fracture of the symphyseal lingual cortical plate. This bony fragment is pedicled to the geniohyoid and genioglossus muscles, being the most likely to displace the hyoid in an anterior direction. Thus, displacement of symphyseal lingual cortical plate results in a serious airway obstruction (Figure 3) [10].

Furthermore, superior and anterior hyoid movements are important events in pharyngeal deglutition. The geniohyoid originates from the symphyseal lingual side of the mandible. The geniohyoid and thyrohyoid muscles have a greater structural potential to displace the hyoid anteriorly and superiorly, and are primarily responsible for opening the upper esophageal sphincter, which is essential for bolus entry into the esophagus (Figure 4) [10-13]. If a posteriorly displaced fragment of the lingual cortical plate is not fixed appropriately, anterior and superior movements of the hyoid may be insufficient and, consequently, impaired opening of the upper esophagus may cause suffocation.

.Figure 4: The figure shows the muscles attached to the hyoid and their movements. The geniohyoid and thyrohyoid muscles have important roles in pharyngeal deglutition.
View Figure 4

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In conclusion, we suggest that precise reduction and fixation of a fragment of the symphyseal lingual cortical plate are indispensable for both relieving airway obstruction in the acute phase, and preventing disturbance of deglutition later.

Disclosures

This manuscript has not benefited from any source of funding support or grants, and the author has no conflicting financial interest.

Ethical Considerations

This study was approved by the IRB of National Hospital organization Nagasaki Medical Center (27021, May 5th 2015), and all participants signed an informed consent agreement.

The content of the manuscript is original and it has not been published or accepted for publication, either in whole or in part, in any form. No part of the manuscript is currently under consideration for publication elsewhere.